Plain Talk Books & Coffee is tucked away in a historic building in the East Village. / MICHAEL MORAIN/THE REGISTER

Plain Talk Books & Coffee

Scene: Plain Talk Books & Coffee is easy to miss. It shares an 1898 red-brick building with Hammer Pharmacy in the East Village and until it gets a new set of storefront windows — the next phase in a gradual renovation — it sort of lacks what you’d call “curb appeal.” When we stopped by, the east-side patio was empty.

But inside it’s a different story. The hole in the wall is filled with new and used books, a pair of comfy chairs on an old rug, and a stack of cool T-shirts inspired by classic novels. The place feels like it belongs in a college town.

In fact, it’s owned by Optimae LifeServices, which helps folks with various mental and developmental disabilities. The nonprofit has roots in Fairfield and seems to have brought some of that town’s friendly-hippie vibe to the big city.

Food: The smallish counter at the back of the store has a small case of pastries, some Doritos, some Clif Bars and — hey, why not? — one of those hot-dog toaster ovens you’d see at a gas station. There’s also a mix of organic and fair-trade coffee drinks, including a decent iced hazelnut latte ($4.75).

If you want more than a pick-me-up, order a bowl of soup ($3), a salad ($6) or any of the sandwiches ($4-$6) with bookish names like The Salinger (on rye bread) or The Beezus & Ramona (with PB&J).

I ordered Dante’s Inferno only after the barista assured me that its long list of ingredients wasn’t spicy in too many spicy ways: pastrami, pepperoni, ham, mozzarella, cheddar-basil cheese, horseradish, jalapenos, banana peppers and brown mustard. He was right: The toasted sandwich was melty, crispy, fresh and delicious.

My friend had good things to say about The Bukowski, a Swiss-cheesy take on the classic ham on rye.

Service: The coffee drinks were fast. The sandwiches took about 20 minutes. We browsed the bookshelves while we waited.

Bottom line: Don’t judge the place by its cover. It’s what’s inside that counts.